I'm looking to pick up a headset with a built in microphone to help me when I participate in field day. Right now, I just have the standard microphone that came with the Kenwood TS400S when it was new many years ago. I don't want to spend a ton of money, but I also want to get something that has decent sound for both me and the folks on the receiving end. I will more than likely get a foot switch to use with this device.

Can anyone recommend what I should be looking at and for in a unit? Can anyone offer any suggestions on a good unit to pick up?

I actually prefer a boom microphone and separate headphones, most of the time. In my case, the reason is a "headset" doesn't allow you a lot of freedom to do things like eat or drink while operating (sometimes a contest necessity); you can push the mike up out of the way, but then you have to pull it back down to use it again. With a boom mike I can just move back from the mike a few inches, then move in a bit closer to use it, without my hands having to adjust anything.

In addition to a boom mike, you might also want to get a foot switch, so you won't have to use VOX.There are some inexpensive single headsets with boom mikes - check the ads in the back of QST - the one for www.warrengregoire.com jumps out at me in a quick scan., or look at your local ham store if you have one.

What's the old line about the pain of a higher price is forgotten quicker than the pain of buying the wrong or a lousy one and buying twice?

When I finally broke down, I just bough Heil - he's got a couple different price levels if money is that tight.

You can build a hand pushbutton switch for a few bucks or use VOX if you don't want to spend $ on his stuff - although I really like his hand switch, I do believe that's the same 'pickle' that the FAA uses at their ARTCC facilities.

I have a headset mounted mic.

Booms appeal to me in a Johnny Fever sort of way, and you can use a cordless headset with one. Now that's freedom, you can still hear the radio whilst refreshing your coffee upstairs...I have a pair of nice cordless RF headphones but not at this QTH.

I use the Heil Pro Set Elite and it works well for me.I can select 5 or 6 transmit audio settings quickly with a click on the mouse from HRD under menu item 064 using my FT-950 and it's very quick and convenient.

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